Each camera, be it vintage or digital, has its own tale to be discovered and told!

Photography has the power to tell stories, inspire generations and bring an enormous change in the World. It creates a vision for the unseen. We can share and view pictures indefinitely across the globe in milliseconds. The digital age has its own perks.

19th August is universally pronounced as the ‘World Photography Day’. Seems surreal right? Even I used to think the same till I met Mr. Tikam Chand and many other observant and marvelous photographers, in our very own Jaipur!

Hawa Mahal is quite a catch for tourists visiting Jaipur. And Outside, you’d definitely find Tikam Chand or his brother along with their era old ‘Huge’ camera coping up with either the scorching sun in summers from 7.30am to 7.00 pm or the biting winters from 9 am to 5.00pm!

Tikam Chand, a man in his late 40’s proudly owns an 1860 Carl Zeiss wooden camera which he has been using for daily duties since past three decades! The camera and its legacy are unbelievable!

Tikam Chand’s grandfather called, Pahiri Master, was a Royal Photographer for the Maharaja of Jaipur in the 19th century who treasured this piece of beauty, manufactured in the 1860’s Germany. Since then it has been passed down from generations, which ultimately got conferred on Tikam Chand in 1977. And hence, He decided to preserve the heritage and also created a livelihood out of it by charging Rs. 200 for each Black and White picture. The strength of a camera which might seem menial is astonishingly enormous!

This camera which is more or less trying to find a place in this digital age of Photo- technology stands on a broken tripod, still not losing its focus, a set of 4×5 Carl Zeiss lens along with a dark room built in it. Though body of the wooden camera is quite worn out, It’s the only piece left of its kind in the World.

Earlier in 1860s, they used to get Gavit Paper for developing the pictures which later gave way to InduPaper. Now they use Noa Lustre, not available in Jaipur which makes it all the more difficult for him to sustain. But his determination takes him to studios in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Ahmadabad and even Chennai to get the paper! So much for keeping the heritage alive…

Well, Photography has the audacity to capture memories, those auspicious moments of life we would always cherish!! Photography is an invention which has evolutionalised the way we view the World and its majestic dimensions with flamboyant people in it. We can visit places without even leaving our own porches! And most importantly, we can watch our grandchildren grow up while we are miles apart from them! Photography has led to splendid revolution in our lives! The history of celebration of this day time and again demonstrates the passion towards Photography which undoubtedly is the true foundation of this day. Many of those tiny set of black and white Polaroids can act as a souvenir of our old days and bring along pangs of nostalgia. Embrace each day with zeal and love!

So any idea how’s your father doing? It’s been a bit long that you have truly given a thought about the face which always stays with you in every situation, in the ebbs and tides, with the cruel and the fine. Busy pacing the race, we are losing the touch of the inexpressible comfort, of feeling safe with a person. It’s simply magical to pour out your heart to someone who keeps his promises and weighs our thoughts, chaff and grain together, while sifting for the worth to stay! So why wait and for what?

With Father’s Day which is almost here try and make the occasion precious, as you take him by surprise and it’s truly an easiest task to surprise our lovely dads!! They are simply awesome! But what would be the best gift and the best surprise? And perhaps a lot of questions must be lingering on, making the plans full of agitation. But you are forgetting something? Miss Alice!

Here I come to your rescue and you can call me your savior as well because I have a lot and lots of ideas regarding the celebration on this ‘Father’s Day’. Thanks to our adorable city.

Jaipur is lively as always when it comes to the mirth of some traditional festivals or even the new ones. So, planning a dinner is not-in-so-much-vogue kind of idea but if your father is blessed with amazing taste buds than dining out will truly make him happy, while the delicious food at Spice Court and Ooper Resto lounge will help you earn some extra points. Take a bet on that! If you are planning up for a home-alone surprise or a special bash in home environs than the cakes from ‘Brown Sugar’ and ice-creams from ‘Baskin Robins’ would add up the awesome factor to the whole idea of celebration!

But what if you’re ‘Daddy the Strongest’ is looking forward for some relaxation? Than a surprise appointment call from ‘Ziva Spa’ would do wonders for him! Rejuvenate and revitalize your resilient ‘Sire’ (while you can impress him with your language skills 🙂 )

Live the day to your ‘Dad’s best’ as you plan for him in a ‘Jaipur way’!

The search and story began through the parkotas of Hawa Mahal, gliding to the markets surrounding Chandpole bazaar, bumping into heads and shoulders in Purohit Ji Ka Katala, then driving to the happy hangouts at the Pink Square and the new youth hub- World Trade Park.

Then came the coffee shops and bookstores. We even had some tafri at both Tapri joints. The search for the mascot was getting a bit tedious owing to the summer heat, yet the excitement of finding one kept us going!

Living every day in and out in the lap of Jaipur restores our pride in the city. The city stands tall with a royal heart and trendy sense for fashion, culture and lifestyle.

Rajasthan and its culture.

Fashion and Rajasthan.

But soon enough our team was blessed, on one fine day as a suitable character sketch of the mascot was ready. So, the WOW moment had arrived with MISS ALICE!

Yup! But no offense for all the guys out there as you will agree that the likeness of Jaipur is true with a “She”. Isn’t it? It’s the way “Shopping Bites” celebrates life that Miss Alice perfectly personifies! Life is personified with flicks and flairs with the entry of Miss Alice.

You will be simply amazed with her love for Jaipur! Owing to the same she just can’t resist going to different places and seeking out the specialties which you would truly want to try out. You would take pride in knowing about your very own Jaipur, yet a new found Jaipur! So get ready for the blithe mascot of the magazine- ‘Miss Alice.‘

They say, ‘Shop till you drop’ but we are here with the Miss Alice as she redefines that to ‘Hop at every shop till your heart drops on your favorites!’ She has an eternal love for Jaipur, yodels on the amazing folk and western music and never hesitates in exploring the famous gaalis and old markets in Jaipur. She loves to get glimpses of the city through the streets and chaurahas, while enjoying the city’s glamour. As you travel with her through the pages of “Shopping Bites” & “Shoppinglogue“, you would gather a lot of information and innovative ideas to explore the city with the Yeses and Nos; Do’s and Don’ts while chirping about the joy of shopping!

Nevertheless, our dedicated efforts made us realise that dodging hard work is never an option, when it comes to realizing dream projects. The enthusiastic approach of the magazine will provide information that will help you in making decisions regarding any purchases from the umpteen choices available in the markets.

And what more, Shopping Bites is all set as a trend on twitter and goes viral on Facebook, as Miss Alice creates the charm all around Jaipur. Shopaholics!! Hash tag the latest trend on twitter as #Shoppingbites & #Missalice.

Unfold the charisma of Jaipur with Miss Alice being ‘one amongst us’ and very ‘like us’. Get ready and gang up for an extravaganza!

The devout search of Sir Arthur Canon Doyle gave him such a fantastic character – Sherlock Holmes – that even now wannabe detective brains would like to be nicknamed Sherlock Holmes! It’s the same case with every search for a suitable and apt character.

So the team of Shopping Bites had a tough time sketching their mascot for the magazine but the experience took them on a fabulous spree. They ranged all along the markets of Jaipur, went to the busy bazaars and galiyaaras, while riding all the way to the upbeat markets which are framing a new Jaipur and finally not missing the great fondness for the chaats, kulfis and other street delicacies! (It would be a sin just to overlook them! :p )

World Trade Park

Pink Square Mall

MGF Mall

Triton Mall

Lost in love of Jaipur and blinded with the alluring charm of our traditional city, we were having a challenging time – how to get out of the Gender issues! All the girls do love exploring every nook and corner of the place they love, and Jaipur tops the chart when it comes to shopping! But hold on, as now the guys are offering tough competition to the pretty ladies as they are becoming more and more look conscious and fashion freaks. Check this out- the latest ‘in thing ‘ might be multi-colored nail paints for girls but the guys would surely take them by surprise with pastel toned trousers!!

Guys wearing Pastel colored Trousers!

Colorful nail pop ups for Girls!!

But before anyone of us could settle down whether our mascot will be a girl or a guy we were on the verge of facing a very puzzling question as to why on the earth do we need a mascot?

After all we are a Lifestyle magazine! Being a Lifestyle magazine we do need an interactive and lively mascot who will make the magazine one of its kind and so our chase was not at all a wild goose chase!! Happily enough, the enthusiastic team of Shopping Bites agreed and took up the task of deciding the magazine mascot’s qualities, persona and aura. Now that was a mammoth task indeed but the teamwork led to an amazing sketch!

The most striking quality of the mascot was jotted down as being an ardent Jaipur lover- A fashionista, Bollywood lover and a charming personality. With mirthful eyes and classy sophistication! Further qualities added were a lively and cheerful attitude dipped in a sweet smile, a fresh and creative approach towards various trends, and wit. The character would have the wisdom and intelligence to scour the market for all useful and worthy things. Finally, he or she would follow the Dos and Don’ts that our traditional Jaipur always insists on!

After so much of thinking, dedication and tireless efforts the team of shopping bites did reach somewhere, but not a final conclusion. While we are finalizing the mascot, if you feel curious and fidgety then better hold on. To Soon enough we’ll paint Gulabi Nagari with the charm and aura of our much awaited mascot, till then you can dream and have a good time shopping!

The chirpy charm of Jaipur and its royal heritage comes alive with the mirth shared by the fanciful, shimmering and decorative bazaars of Jaipur. Undoubtedly! Nothing can beat the fascination of buying amazing silver earrings form M.I road, beautiful Zari-work sarees from Johari bazaar, Mojaris from Bapu bazaar and the list gets endless! The scorching heat or the winter chill might be reasons for some to hibernate. The allure of shopping from Jaipur’s traditional as well as new markets can only be understood by the one who shares a shopper’s heart!

Amid all this, how about a magazine, which takes you to the charm of Jaipur in a very delightful and innovative manner? “Shopping Bites” is one such effort. It aims at providing useful information regarding every special nook and corners of the gallis and bazaars; malls and mohallas; traditional to global, thereby covering the joy of Jaipur. It has already made a mark, while journeying into the markets, discovering the delicious street chaats to some of the amazing shopping hangouts. It attunes its readers to the various colors of Jaipur. Issues of Shopping Bites are always very interesting and peppy as every issue which comes into being is marked with a lot of effort till it reaches our dear customers. There is nothing like a magazine that has you gripped from the very first lineit’s been said that the opening line sells a book while the closing line sells the magazine’s next issue!

Brown Sugar Bakery

F-32 Cafe

“Shopping Bites” has quite happily paired up with a reader’s cup of morning tea. It provides interesting food for conversation at dinner time. The colorful and catchy pictures captivate the readers. The vision of our magazine has been to reach the vast middle class of urban markets, cater to their lifestyle needs and be an integral part of their modern lifestyle.

We have always tried to bring the best from the vast markets and unending list of brands, products and services. Previous issues had captured the reader’s imagination as they had details about home décor, appliances, bakers and confectioners, etc. The present issue will prove equally informative and interesting about the Whats, Wheres and Whens of Jaipur.

So, join us on an enthralling trip. Choose “Shopping Bites” for informative reading and indulge your love for Jaipur!